The Dallas Cowboys season came to an early end after they finished 6-10. After another disappointing season followed by numerous injuries including Dak Prescott, Zack Martin and Tyron Smith, the Cowboys will have to make some interesting decisions about their football team.
The Cowboys will have to make decisions regarding their coaching staff and whether to let some key players walk or not.
Here are three decisions that the Cowboys need to make and whether they are overreactions or not.
The Cowboys Need to Trade Ezekiel Elliott
Decision: Overreaction
After a mediocre season for Ezekiel Elliott, rumors have been circulating if the Cowboys should consider Elliott. Elliott makes $15 million per season, making him the second-highest-paid running back in the league. However, is Elliott worth that money?
This season, Elliott had his worst year in the NFL. His four yards per carry, 65.3 yards per game, 979 rushing yards, and five lost fumbles are the worst of his five-year career. The former All-Pro running back did not show his potential in the 2020 season leaving the door open for a possible trade. As talented as Elliott is, most teams will take on his contract.
Nonetheless, it’s hard for Elliott to perform to his best when his offense was in complete shambles all season long. As a result of Prescott’s injury, more teams drew focus to Elliott. Additionally, the Cowboys’ top three offensive linemen, Zack Martin, Tyron Smith and La’el Collins, were out for the majority of the season. The inconsistency at the offensive line position didn’t help Elliott. Even with the offense being a disaster, Elliott ranked tenth in yards created (332).
It’s an overreaction to say Elliott needs to be traded. After all, he is a three-time pro bowler and a former All-Pro for a reason.
Pay Dak Prescott $40+ Million
Decision: Not an Overreaction
After many people speculated whether Dak Prescott was better than Carson Wentz, it seems like that debate has finally come to an end. What Prescott did for the Cowboys in just five games this season was unimaginable. He was on an absolute tear averaging almost 400 yards per game through five games. Unfortunately, Prescott went down with a devasting injury in week 5 against the Giants, ending his breakout season. From weeks 1-5, the Dallas Cowboys ranked third in points per game (32.6).
As a result of Prescott’s injury, the Cowboys’ offense looked much different. From weeks 6-10, the Cowboys scored above 10 points once and only averaged 10.25 points during that span. Following the remainder of the season, the Cowboys went 4-7 without Prescott only averaging 21.1 points per game.
There’s no dispute that Prescott’s ability to deliver efficient throws and create plays makes him one of the best quarterbacks in the league. As a result, Prescott will be asking for over $40 million per season, making him the second-highest-paid player in the league. The Cowboys will have a tough decision to make whether they want to pay him that much money. However, this decision seems easy enough as Prescott has shown how dominant he can be.
{Related: Will the Cowboys Pay Dak Prescott}
Fire Mike McCarthy
Decision: Overreaction
Did Mike McCarthy live up to his coaching potential?
No, McCarthy’s .375 win percentage in 2020 was tied for his worst in a single season. However, it’s hard for a coach to come into a new organization and be effective immediately. It has been done before, most recently by Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Matt LeFleur (Packers) and Sean McVay (Rams). Nevertheless, none of those coaches had to deal with their star quarterback going down early in the season.
On top of Prescott’s injury, this season made it ten times harder for coaches to adjust to new teams due to COVID-19. McCarthy had a limited time with his team this offseason with no preseason games and a shortened training camp. On top of the unprecedented times of covid, his top three offensive linemen played a combined 0 games together.
McCarthy’s first season with Green Bay in 2006 was also a fail as they only went 8-8. The following season, however, McCarthy lead them to a 13-3 record and a trip to the conference championship game.
Giving up on a coach this early is not the right move for this organization. McCarthy will now have a full offseason and his whole team back healthy in 2021.
Featured Image Courtesy of Dallas Morning News
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